Bramble the Bear

Materials

• Worsted (Aran) yarn: about 100 g in oat for the bear, a small amount in moss green for the scarf, and scraps of cream and dark brown
• 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Two 8 mm safety eyes
• Polyester fibre fill
• Stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors

Gauge

About 18 sc × 20 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) in a firm amigurumi tension.

Abbreviations

• ch chain
• sl st slip stitch
• sc single crochet (US)
• inc increase: 2 sc (or 2 hdc) in the same stitch
• dec decrease: single crochet 2 together, worked as an invisible decrease (front loops only of the next 2 sts)
• MR magic ring
• st(s) stitch(es)
• Rnd round (worked in a spiral unless the pattern says to join)
• * * repeat the instructions between asterisks as directed
• ( ) the stitch count at the end of a round

Head

Oat. Worked from the top of the head to the chin.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnd 3(*1 sc, inc*) × 6(18)
4. Rnd 4(*2 sc, inc*) × 6(24)
5. Rnd 5(*3 sc, inc*) × 6(30)
6. Rnd 6(*4 sc, inc*) × 6(36)
7. Rnd 7(*5 sc, inc*) × 6(42)
8. Rnds 8–14sc in every st around(42)
9. Rnd 15(*5 sc, dec*) × 6(36)
10. Rnd 16(*4 sc, dec*) × 6(30)
11. Rnd 17(*3 sc, dec*) × 6(24)
12. Rnd 18(*2 sc, dec*) × 6(18)
13. Rnd 19(*1 sc, dec*) × 6(12)
14. Rnd 20dec × 6(6)

Stuff firmly before the last rounds. Fasten off and close.

Body

Oat. Worked from the base up. Stuff as you go.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnd 3(*1 sc, inc*) × 6(18)
4. Rnd 4(*2 sc, inc*) × 6(24)
5. Rnd 5(*3 sc, inc*) × 6(30)
6. Rnd 6(*4 sc, inc*) × 6(36)
7. Rnds 7–14sc in every st around(36)
8. Rnd 15(*4 sc, dec*) × 6(30)
9. Rnds 16–18sc in every st around(30)
10. Rnd 19(*3 sc, dec*) × 6(24)
11. Rnd 20sc in every st around(24)
12. Rnd 21(*2 sc, dec*) × 6(18)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff firmly.

Ears (make 2)

Oat. Do not stuff.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnd 3(*1 sc, inc*) × 6(18)
4. Rnd 4sc in every st around(18)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Flatten the ear.

Arms (make 2)

Oat.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnds 3–9sc in every st around(12)

Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Legs (make 2)

Oat.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnd 3(*1 sc, inc*) × 6(18)
4. Rnds 4–7sc in every st around(18)
5. Rnd 8(*1 sc, dec*) × 6(12)
6. Rnds 9–10sc in every st around(12)

Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Muzzle

Cream.

1. Rnd 16 sc in magic ring(6)
2. Rnd 2inc in every st around(12)
3. Rnd 3(*1 sc, inc*) × 6(18)
4. Rnd 4sc in every st around(18)

Stuff lightly. Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Scarf

Moss green. Chain 41. Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (40). Rows 2–5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (40). Fasten off. Fringe is optional: cut four 8 cm strands per end and knot them through the short edges.

Assembly

Sew the muzzle to the face, between rounds 9 and 13. Place the eyes just above the muzzle, about 9 stitches apart, and fix them in place. Embroider a nose and mouth with dark brown yarn. Sew the ears to the head, then sew the head to the body. Attach the arms and legs, with the legs pointing forward so the bear sits. Wrap the scarf around the neck and stitch the ends together at the back.